Titus 3:10
What does Titus 3:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Titus 3:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Titus 3:10 means
A “factious” person is one who forms parties, stirs up division, and refuses unity around the truth. Paul instructs Titus to warn such a person once and then a second time. If he remains unrepentant, Titus must “refuse” him—end fellowship and influence to protect the body. This pattern shows both patience and resolve: the goal is restoration through admonition, but the church must not be held hostage by persistent strife. Discipline is not vengeance; it is a necessary boundary for the sake of peace, purity, and the credibility of the gospel witness. Leaders serve the flock by confronting divisiveness and, if needed, removing its platform.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse;
KJV
King James Version · 1611A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949A man whose opinions are not those of the church, after a first and second protest, is to be kept out of your society;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862A sectarian man, after a first and second admonition be rejecting,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, avoid:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890An heretical man after a first and second admonition have done with,
Context
Following the call to avoid unprofitable disputes (v. 9), verse 10 gives a procedure for dealing with those who promote them. It balances grace and order: admonish twice, then separate if there is no change. The next verse (v. 11) explains why such firmness is needed—the divisive person, by persisting, reveals a distorted state and condemns himself. With this, Paul concludes the corrective section before turning to personal travel plans and final exhortations.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which they received of us.
- Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them.
- 2 John 1:10
If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting:
- 2 Timothy 3:5
holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away.
- Matthew 18:15
And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
- 2 Corinthians 13:2
I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, to them that have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;
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